How Safe or Dangerous Is Washington in 2024?
Washington Safety Scores, out of 100 points (2023)
Washington's 43/100 safety score from overall crime indicates a state with an average safety level and mixed results.
- Overall Crime (safety score): 43
- Violent Crime (safety score): 48
- Property Crime (safety score): 31
Compared to the U.S. average for safety scores from overall crime, this state is somewhat more dangerous (-7 pts lower), similar from violent crime (no difference), and much more dangerous from property crime (-22 pts lower).
Where Does Washington Rank in Safety Among U.S. States in 2023?
- Overall Crime (safety ranking): 40th
- Violent Crime (safety ranking): 26th
- Property Crime (safety ranking): 51st
Looking at the 50 states in America (and D.C.), where crime data has been reported, Washington state is ranked 40th in overall safety from overall crime, making it a much more dangerous state comparatively speaking. In terms of individual categories of violent and property crime, Washington is ranked 26th on safety from violent crime, meaning it's a moderately secure state for this category of crime. With respect to safety from property crime, this state is positioned 51st and is a significantly more dangerous state relative to others.
Is Washington Becoming Safer or More Dangerous?
Year-on-Year Change in Safety Scores (2023 vs. 2022)
- Overall Crime (Year-on-Year): +3 percentage points
- Violent Crime (Year-on-Year): +3 percentage points
- Property Crime (Year-on-Year): +3 percentage points
Compared to 2022 regarding safety scores from overall crime, this state in 2023 is slightly safer overall (+3 pts higher), slightly safer from violent crime (+3 pts higher), and slightly safer from property crime (+3 pts higher).
What Is the Likelihood of Becoming a Crime Victim in Washington in 2024?
- Overall Crime: Low
- Violent Crime: Low
- Property Crime: Moderate
In Washington, the overall risk of becoming a victim of crime is low. Specifically, the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime is low, and the risk of becoming a victim of property crime is moderate.
What Are the Overall Crime Trends in Washington from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Overall Crime: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Total Crime | |
|---|---|
| WA State | 43 |
| U.S. Avg. | 50 |
Safety from Overall Crime (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 43 | 50 |
| 2022 | 40 | 46 |
| 2021 | 43 | 45 |
| 2020 | 47 | 44 |
| 2019 | 48 | 45 |
| 2018 | 45 | 44 |
| 2017 | 46 | 42 |
Investigating Washington, through the lens of crime analysis shows that in terms of overall crime, the current urban landscape, compared with pre-pandemic times, is slightly more dangerous (-3 pts lower), slightly more dangerous now from violent crime (-4 pts lower), and slightly more dangerous now from property crime (-1 pts lower).
Nationwide criminal statistics in the U.S. indicate that for overall crime, the U.S. now, compared to the pre-pandemic years, is somewhat safer (+6 pts higher), slightly safer now from violent crime (+4 pts higher), and somewhat safer now from property crime (+9 pts higher).
Learn more about Washington's violent crime and property crime in our detailed sections.
Violent Crime: How Safe or Dangerous Is Washington in 2024?
Safety Scores from Violent Crime, out of 100 points (2023)
With a 48/100 safety score from violent crime, Washington is a state where safety is average, neither too high nor too low.
- Overall Violent Crime (safety score): 48
- Murder (safety score): 37
- Rape (safety score): 57
- Robbery (safety score): 54
- Aggravated Assault (safety score): 50
Compared to the U.S. average for safety scores from violent crime, this state is equal to the U.S. average in terms of overall safety (no difference), slightly more dangerous from murder (-3 pts lower), slightly safer from rape (+2 pts higher), slightly more dangerous from robbery (-4 pts lower), and somewhat safer from aggravated assault (+7 pts higher).
How Does Washington Rank in Violent Crime Among U.S. States in 2023?
- Overall Violent Crime (safety ranking): 26th
- Murder (safety ranking): 26th
- Rape (safety ranking): 12th
- Robbery (safety ranking): 44th
- Aggravated Assault (safety ranking): 20th
With crime statistics available for 50 states in America (and D.C.), Washington state is ranked 26th in overall safety from violent crime, making it a moderately secure state relative to others. In terms of individual categories of violent crime, Washington is ranked 26th on safety from murder, meaning it's a moderately secure state for this type of crime. With respect to safety from rape, this state is positioned 12th and is a safer state relative to others. Regarding safety from robbery, this state comes in at 44th place, indicating that it's a considerably more dangerous state, and for safety from aggravated assault, it's ranked 20th, making it a slightly safer state.
Is Violent Crime Increasing or Decreasing in Washington?
Year-on-Year Change in Safety Scores from Violent Crime (2023 vs. 2022)
- Overall Violent Crime (Year-on-Year): +3 percentage points
- Murder (Year-on-Year): -5 percentage points
- Rape (Year-on-Year): +7 percentage points
- Robbery (Year-on-Year): +6 percentage points
- Aggravated Assault (Year-on-Year): +6 percentage points
Compared to 2022 regarding safety scores from violent crime, this state in 2023 is slightly safer overall (+3 pts higher), somewhat more dangerous from murder (-5 pts lower), somewhat safer from rape (+7 pts higher), somewhat safer from robbery (+6 pts higher), and somewhat safer from aggravated assault (+6 pts higher).
What Is the Likelihood of Experiencing Violent Crime in Washington in 2024?
- Overall Violent Crime: Low
- Murder: Moderate
- Rape: Minor
- Robbery: Low
- Aggravated Assault: Low
In Washington, the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime is low. Beware of Murder.
What Are the Violent Crime Trends in Washington from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Violent Crime: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Total Violent Crime | |
|---|---|
| WA State | 48 |
| U.S. Avg. | 48 |
Safety from Violent Crime (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 48 | 48 |
| 2022 | 45 | 43 |
| 2021 | 49 | 41 |
| 2020 | 52 | 42 |
| 2019 | 53 | 44 |
| 2018 | 51 | 44 |
| 2017 | 53 | 43 |
Investigation into Washington's crime figures suggests that in violent crime, the state compared to the pre-pandemic years, is slightly more dangerous (-4 pts lower), much more dangerous now from murder (-22 pts lower), safer now from rape (+15 pts higher), still on par with the 2017-2019 period in terms of safety from robbery (unchanged), and slightly more dangerous now from aggravated assault (-2 pts lower).
Reviewing U.S. crime trends, it's evident that, concerning overall violent crime, the situation now, compared to the pre-pandemic period, is slightly safer (+4 pts higher), slightly more dangerous now from murder (-1 pts lower), somewhat safer now from rape (+9 pts higher), safer now from robbery (+11 pts higher), and still on par with the 2017-2019 period in terms of safety from aggravated assault (unchanged).
What Are the Murder Trends in Washington from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Murder: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Homicide | |
|---|---|
| WA State | 37 |
| U.S. Avg. | 40 |
Safety from Murder (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 37 | 40 |
| 2022 | 42 | 33 |
| 2021 | 47 | 30 |
| 2020 | 50 | 32 |
| 2019 | 61 | 41 |
| 2018 | 57 | 42 |
| 2017 | 58 | 40 |
What Are the Rape Trends in Washington from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Rape: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Rape | |
|---|---|
| WA State | 57 |
| U.S. Avg. | 55 |
Safety from Rape (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 57 | 55 |
| 2022 | 50 | 49 |
| 2021 | 49 | 47 |
| 2020 | 54 | 51 |
| 2019 | 42 | 45 |
| 2018 | 40 | 45 |
| 2017 | 44 | 47 |
What Are the Robbery Trends in Washington from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Robbery: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Robbery | |
|---|---|
| WA State | 54 |
| U.S. Avg. | 58 |
Safety from Robbery (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 54 | 58 |
| 2022 | 48 | 56 |
| 2021 | 53 | 56 |
| 2020 | 56 | 53 |
| 2019 | 54 | 50 |
| 2018 | 53 | 48 |
| 2017 | 54 | 43 |
What Are the Aggravated Assault Trends in Washington from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Aggravated Assault: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Aggravated Assault | |
|---|---|
| WA State | 50 |
| U.S. Avg. | 43 |
Safety from Aggravated Assault (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 50 | 43 |
| 2022 | 44 | 41 |
| 2021 | 47 | 41 |
| 2020 | 52 | 40 |
| 2019 | 53 | 43 |
| 2018 | 52 | 44 |
| 2017 | 53 | 43 |
Property Crime: How Safe or Dangerous Is Washington in 2024?
Safety Scores from Property Crime, out of 100 points (2023)
With its 31/100 safety score from property crime, Washington is a state where safety, though not critical, can be improved.
- Overall Property Crime (safety score): 31
- Burglary (safety score): 29
- Larceny (safety score): 36
- Auto Theft (safety score): 26
- Arson (safety score): 30
Compared to the U.S. average for safety scores from property crime, this state is much more dangerous (-22 pts lower), much more dangerous from burglary (-29 pts lower), much more dangerous from larceny (-21 pts lower), more dangerous from auto theft (-13 pts lower), and more dangerous from arson (-15 pts lower).
How Does Washington Rank in Property Crime Among U.S. States in 2023?
- Overall Property Crime (safety ranking): 51st
- Burglary (safety ranking): 51st
- Larceny (safety ranking): 50th
- Auto Theft (safety ranking): 48th
- Arson (safety ranking): 40th
Out of the 50 states in America (and D.C.), based on the most recent crime data, Washington state is ranked 51st in overall safety from property crime, making it a significantly more dangerous state comparatively speaking. In terms of individual categories of property crime, Washington is ranked 51st on safety from burglary, meaning it's a significantly more dangerous state for this type of crime. With respect to safety from larceny, this state is positioned 50th and is a significantly more dangerous state relative to others. Regarding safety from auto theft, this state comes in at 48th place, indicating that it's a significantly more dangerous state, and for safety from arson, it's ranked 40th, making it a much more dangerous state.
Is Property Crime Increasing or Decreasing in Washington?
Year-on-Year Change in Safety Scores from Property Crime (2023 vs. 2022)
- Overall Property Crime (Year-on-Year): +3 percentage points
- Burglary (Year-on-Year): +1 percentage point
- Larceny (Year-on-Year): +5 percentage points
- Auto Theft (Year-on-Year): +4 percentage points
- Arson (Year-on-Year): +1 percentage point
Compared to 2022 regarding safety scores from property crime, this state in 2023 is slightly safer overall (+3 pts higher), slightly safer from burglary (+1 pts higher), somewhat safer from larceny (+5 pts higher), slightly safer from auto theft (+4 pts higher), and slightly safer from arson (+1 pts higher).
What Is the Likelihood of Experiencing Property Crime in Washington in 2024?
- Overall Property Crime: Moderate
- Burglary: Moderate
- Larceny: Moderate
- Auto Theft: Fair
- Arson: Moderate
In Washington, the risk of becoming a victim of property crime is moderate. Beware of:
- Burglary
- Larceny
- Auto Theft
- Arson
What Are the Property Crime Trends in Washington from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Property Crime: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Total Property Crime | |
|---|---|
| WA State | 31 |
| U.S. Avg. | 53 |
Safety from Property Crime (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 31 | 53 |
| 2022 | 28 | 51 |
| 2021 | 31 | 53 |
| 2020 | 34 | 49 |
| 2019 | 35 | 48 |
| 2018 | 31 | 45 |
| 2017 | 29 | 41 |
Studying crime patterns in Washington indicates that for property crime, the state compared to the pre-pandemic years, is slightly more dangerous (-1 pts lower), slightly safer now from burglary (+1 pts higher), slightly safer now from larceny (+1 pts higher), somewhat more dangerous now from auto theft (-6 pts lower), and slightly more dangerous now from arson (-2 pts lower).
When analyzing overall property crime in the U.S., it's apparent that, compared to pre-pandemic figures, the nation currently, is somewhat safer (+9 pts higher), safer now from burglary (+19 pts higher), somewhat safer now from larceny (+8 pts higher), more dangerous now from auto theft (-12 pts lower), and somewhat safer now from arson (+6 pts higher).
What Are the Burglary Trends in Washington from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Burglary: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Burglary | |
|---|---|
| WA State | 29 |
| U.S. Avg. | 58 |
Safety from Burglary (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 29 | 58 |
| 2022 | 28 | 54 |
| 2021 | 28 | 53 |
| 2020 | 28 | 48 |
| 2019 | 30 | 44 |
| 2018 | 28 | 39 |
| 2017 | 27 | 32 |
What Are the Larceny Trends in Washington from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Larceny: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Larceny | |
|---|---|
| WA State | 36 |
| U.S. Avg. | 57 |
Safety from Larceny (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 36 | 57 |
| 2022 | 31 | 54 |
| 2021 | 35 | 57 |
| 2020 | 42 | 54 |
| 2019 | 39 | 50 |
| 2018 | 35 | 49 |
| 2017 | 30 | 47 |
What Are the Auto Theft Trends in Washington from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Auto Theft: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Auto Theft | |
|---|---|
| WA State | 26 |
| U.S. Avg. | 39 |
Safety from Auto Theft (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 26 | 39 |
| 2022 | 22 | 44 |
| 2021 | 27 | 48 |
| 2020 | 32 | 49 |
| 2019 | 37 | 52 |
| 2018 | 30 | 51 |
| 2017 | 29 | 50 |
What Are the Arson Trends in Washington from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Arson: State Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Arson | |
|---|---|
| WA State | 30 |
| U.S. Avg. | 45 |
Safety from Arson (2017-2023): State Score vs. U.S. Average
| WA State | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 30 | 45 |
| 2022 | 29 | 40 |
| 2021 | 29 | 50 |
| 2020 | 29 | 33 |
| 2019 | 36 | 42 |
| 2018 | 30 | 39 |
| 2017 | 30 | 35 |
The assessments presented on this website, including those related to crime, safety, cost of living, and other location characteristics (e.g., states, cities, towns, villages, neighborhoods, areas, landmarks), are based on various sources and our internal research methods. These assessments are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete and should not be used as the sole basis for making any decisions.